Intel Core i3-1125G4 vs Intel Xeon D-1541 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unambiguous picture: the Intel Xeon D-1541 wins all six head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i3-1125G4. The margin is consistent, with the Xeon holding a 7.1% to 7.5% advantage across every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 852 against the i3's 792, a 7% edge. The single-core R15 result shows the Xeon at 120 versus 111, a 7.5% lead—the largest delta in the entire comparison.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Xeon's multi-core score of 3554 tops the i3's 3301 by 7.1%, while single-core lands at 501 versus 465, a 7.2% gap. The R23 results mirror this almost exactly: the Xeon reaches 8463 multi-core against 7860 for the i3, and 1194 single-core versus 1109, both translating to a 7.1% deficit for the i3.

These are not marginal differences that could swing with silicon lottery or thermal variance. The deltas are tightly clustered between 7% and 7.5%, suggesting a systematic performance advantage rather than benchmark-specific noise. The Xeon D-1541's wins are comprehensive—there is no test in this suite where the Core i3-1125G4 manages to close the gap or claim a victory.

The aggregate benchmark scores reinforce this hierarchy. The i3-1125G4 posts an average benchmark score of 2451, while the Xeon D-1541 sits at 2447. The delta between them is a mere 0.1% in favor of the i3, which places them as near-identical in overall average performance. However, this aggregate metric includes Geekbench results that are only available for the i3—no Geekbench score exists for the Xeon in this dataset—which slightly skews the comparison. The head-to-head Cinebench results, which both processors share, tell the more controlled story: the Xeon is consistently faster.

Both processors occupy the 48th percentile among all CPUs, confirming that despite their architectural differences, they land in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals list for the i3 includes the Xeon D-1541 at a 0.1% delta, and the Xeon's own rivals list includes the i3 at a -0.2% delta, further cementing their status as direct competitors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel design lineages, which explains their divergent characteristics despite similar benchmark outcomes. The Core i3-1125G4 is built on Tiger Lake-U, a 10 nm mobile architecture with Willow Cove cores, while the Xeon D-1541 uses the older Broadwell-DE design on a 14 nm process. The process node difference—10 nm versus 14 nm—is a generation gap that the Xeon partially compensates for with a larger physical implementation.

The Xeon's die is substantially larger at 246 mm², containing 3,200 million transistors, versus the i3's 144 mm² die (transistor count not listed). This size disparity reflects the Xeon's server-oriented design, which prioritizes throughput and reliability features over power efficiency.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i3 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon doubles that to 8 cores and 16 threads. This is the Xeon's primary structural advantage in multi-threaded workloads. However, the i3 fights back with clock speeds: a base of 2000 MHz and boost of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 2100 MHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The i3's 1 GHz boost advantage is substantial, yet the Cinebench scores show the Xeon's extra cores more than compensating for the clock deficit.

Cache hierarchies are organized differently. The i3 uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The Xeon employs 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 1.5 MB L3 per core. The Xeon's per-core L3 is smaller, but with 8 cores, the total cache allocation is similar in magnitude to the i3's shared pool.

Memory support diverges along with the market segments. The i3 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X in dual-channel configuration, while the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel. The Xeon includes ECC memory support, which is critical for server reliability; the i3 lacks ECC entirely. PCIe capabilities also differ: the i3 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 24 lanes. The i3's newer PCIe generation offers higher per-lane bandwidth, but the Xeon has more total lanes for expansion.

Integrated graphics are present on the i3 (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4) and absent on the Xeon, which relies on discrete or remote management solutions typical of server platforms. The sockets are incompatible: the i3 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667. Thermal design power reflects their intended environments—the i3 draws 15 W for thin-and-light mobile systems, while the Xeon consumes 45 W for always-on server operation. The Xeon remains in active production, while the i3 has reached end-of-life status. Release dates are five years apart: the Xeon launched in October 2015, the i3 in March 2021.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 has 8 cores and 16 threads, double the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Intel Core i3-1125G4.

Q: Does the Core i3-1125G4 win any benchmark in the head-to-head set?

A: No. The Xeon D-1541 wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 7.1% to 7.5% in its favor.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-1125G4 has an average benchmark score of 2451, while the Xeon D-1541 scores 2447. This represents a 0.1% difference in the i3's favor, placing both at the 48th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon D-1541 supports ECC memory, while the Core i3-1125G4 does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Xeon D-1541 uses the 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i3-1125G4 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, whereas the Xeon D-1541 has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data does not support a single winner across all use cases—it supports two winners for two different jobs. For multi-threaded server workloads where ECC memory and 16 threads are essential, the Xeon D-1541 is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 7% margin, offers ECC support, and remains in active production. Its 45 W TDP and server-grade socket (BGA 1667) signal a platform designed for continuous operation, not mobility.

For mobile or power-constrained applications, the Core i3-1125G4 is the only viable option of the two. Its 15 W TDP, integrated Iris Xe graphics, and BGA 1449 socket target thin-and-light laptops. The 3.70 GHz boost clock provides strong single-thread responsiveness when needed, and its PCIe Gen 4 lanes offer modern I/O bandwidth. However, the benchmark results show it trails the Xeon by 7.1% to 7.5% even in single-threaded Cinebench tests, where its clock advantage might be expected to help—the Xeon's 2.70 GHz boost does not appear to handicap it in these workloads.

The launch MSRP of the Xeon D-1541 is $581. The Core i3-1125G4 has a launch MSRP of $281.

The average benchmark scores being nearly identical (2451 versus 2447) might suggest interchangeability, but the head-to-head Cinebench data contradicts that. In the tests both processors share, the Xeon consistently wins. The i3's aggregate score is buoyed by Geekbench results that the Xeon does not provide, making a direct average comparison misleading. The Xeon is the stronger performer in shared workloads; the i3 is the only option for mobile form factors.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1125G4 | Intel Xeon D-1541 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2000 MHz | 2100 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Broadwell |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 246 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 3,200 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR3, DDR4 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-30 | 2015-10-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | $581 |

| Part Number | SRK8S | SR2DE |